A ten-game NBA Sunday tips off at 3:30 Eastern with the Thunder hosting Cleveland on national TV. Russell Westbrook $11000 vs. Kyrie Irving $7900 and Kevin Durant $10000 against LeBron James $9700 are fantastic matchups in real life and daily fantasy.
When they last met on December 17 in Ohio, it was more of a defensive struggle than expected. Irving was still recovering and Kevin Love $7400 was outplayed by Serge Ibaka $5400 but LBJ missed a triple-double by one rebound and the Cavaliers prevailed, 104-100. This rematch could be similarly intense.
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Boston at Denver will be fast-paced, with Isaiah Thomas $7800 attacking Emmanuel Mudiay $5800 and Avery Bradley $5200 taking on Gary Harris $4500. Salaries are very reasonable for Danilo Gallinari $6900, Will Barton $5700, Jared Sullinger $5700 and Jae Crowder $5700. The Celtics are deeper, with Marcus Smart $4800 and Evan Turner $5100 leading the second unit.
It’s never a bad plan to use Lakers opponents. Injuries have crippled the Bulls, but they were led by Doug McDermott $3800 (with a career-high 30 off the bench) to upset Toronto on Friday. Derrick Rose $7200 and Pau Gasol $8500 are the more obvious plays, while E’Twaun Moore $5200 and Bobby Portis $4500 could surprise. Kobe Bryant $5900 (finger) is probable and may be inspired in his Chicago farewell.
Anthony Davis $9700 and Jrue Holiday $7300 are six games out of a playoff spot with 29 to play and four teams to pass. Mathematically alive but desperate, they face a Detroit team that has lost four straight but improved at the trade deadline. If Ryan Anderson $5600 is hot, it’s a tossup. Tobias Harris $5700 scored 21 points in 30 minutes off the bench in his Friday debut; he joins Andre Drummond $8000 and Reggie Jackson $6600 as a primary option.
The Magic used newcomers Brandon Jennings $4300 and Ersan Ilyasova $5000 effectively off the bench to beat Dallas in overtime on Friday. Nikola Vucevic $7400 and Victor Oladipo $6500 were the best starters and Evan Fournier $5600 played 42 minutes. Shocking the Thunder in OKC, Paul George $8400 got plenty of help from Monta Ellis $6100, George Hill $5700, Myles Turner $5900 and especially Ian Mahinmi $5000 — 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 35 minutes.
Tony Parker $4900 and LaMarcus Aldridge $6800 lead the Spurs into Phoenix. Kyle Anderson $4000 figures to start again; there’s no need to rush Kawhi Leonard $7500 (calf) back against what’s left of the Suns. Jon Leuer $4400, Mirza Teletovic $4500 and Kris Humphries $3700 were the only bigs remaining when Alex Len $4600 (ankle) was scratched and Tyson Chandler $4300 (shoulder) left Friday’s game.
Damian Lillard $9600 is highly unlikely to repeat the game of his life (51 points) because the Jazz are strong at both ends of the floor with Derrick Favors $7200 and Rudy Gobert $6800. Defense is key in this huge battle for both playoff-contending teams.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Russell Westbrook $11000 | Jrue Holiday $7300 | George Hill $5700 |
| SG | DeMar DeRozan $7600 | Victor Oladipo $6500 | E’Twaun Moore $5200 |
| SF | LeBron James $9700 | Tobias Harris $5700 | Kyle Anderson $4000 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $9700 | Derrick Favors $7200 | Kris Humphries $3700 |
| C | Pau Gasol $8500 | Myles Turner $5900 | Ian Mahinmi $5000 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.